Muscle mass and aerobic capacity in older women: Impact of regular exercise at middle age

The impact of regular exercise habits at middle-age on muscle mass and function at old age remains inconclusive. While regular exercise likely represents a primary source of health-enhancing physical activity (PA), the physical demand of occupation needs to be considered. Additionally, PA level at old age should be taken into account in order to elucidate true associations between past exercise behaviors and muscle mass and function at old age. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the impact of regular exercise habits during middle age years on muscle mass and physical function at old age, while considering occupation and objectively assessed PA level at old age.

Self-reported leisure-time PA during middle age years [35-65 years] and present accelerometer-derived PA level were assessed in a population of community-dwelling older women (65-70 years; n = 112). Participants who accumulated at least 600 MET-min of PA per week during middle age years were classified as physically active. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), aerobic fitness and maximal isometric arm and leg strength were determined. Analyses of differences in muscle mass and physical function between physically active and inactive at middle age were adjusted by present PA, adiposity level, and the physical demand of former occupation (sedentary vs manual).

Participants accumulating at least 600 MET-min of exercise-related activities during middle-age years had higher aerobic fitness (P < 0.01) and SMI (P < 0.05) at old age compared to their less active peers. Notably, these beneficial impacts were driven by exercise habits during late middle-age period [50 to 65 years], and remained significant after further adjustment by the physical demand of former occupation and present PA behavior at old age. Finally, middle-age engagement in exercise-related activities had no influence on maximal arm and leg isometric strength at old age.

Our findings highlight the importance of engaging in regular PA of at least moderate intensity during middle age years in order to promote benefits at the level of muscle mass and aerobic fitness. This clearly supports the potential of PA in delaying aerobic capacity impairment and the occurrence of clinically manifest sarcopenia at old age.